WASTEred - study cases results

Bioazul has developed an innovative additive for sludge treatment and recovering that consists in natural organic and inorganic components and auxiliary substances in aqueous solution: LODOred. This product has been designed for reducing and biostabilising the surplus sewage sludge generated during wastewater treatment, without affecting the effluent quality.

Within the WASTERED project framework, 11 case studies were carried out throughout Europe concerning the treatment of food processing wastewater: 4 case studies in Spanish companies, 6 within German companies and 1 case study in a Polish company. Among these, 6 cases were in the meat sector and 5 were in the diaries sector. Such food processes produce wastewater that is different from common urban sewage, as it is biodegradable and nontoxic, but contains high concentrations of organic matters and suspended solids.

Bioazul sets agreements with every sewage plant in order to test its product. Before the test, data are collected in order to set the comparison parameters before and after the start of the utilisation of LODOred. In this phase, a technical and economic feasibility study is carried out and improvement objectives are defined. Parameters are compared on a monthly basis. Once the test period has begun, Bioazul keeps close contact with the plant and, after few months, the results are analysed. Bioazul announces satisfactory results from both the environmental and economic perspectives.

Study cases results demonstrated that, from an environmental perspective, LODOred increases the yield in the elimination of toxic substances in wastewater while reducing the mass of sludge. Furthermore, the amount of polymers used in the treatment is reduced, likewise its concentration in the final sludge. In addition, the sludge is drier at the end of the treatment. Two case studies of Spanish plants, both involved in the treatment of sewage from the meat industry, has led to the following results: Firstly, 694 kg additional amount of oxygen consuming sewage could be treated daily, generating 6 tonnes less sludge monthly, consuming 19 less kilograms of polymer per day, reducing the amount of polymer found in the dry sludge in 4.2 kg, and increasing the sludge dryness. Secondly, a 74% increase in the amount of treated sewage was found, and a 35% reduction in the specific sludge production was observed; Annual savings could be estimated to be 604 tonnes of generated sludge and 450kg of polymer. Additionally, a Spanish plant in the dairy sector cut its sludge production by 133 tonnes per year, i.e. 50% of its production. The consumption of polymer decreased by 100 kg.

All these benefits were converted into economic profits. Thus, it is estimated that the first plant saves 1248€ yearly thanks to the use of LODOred. The second plant saves 8860€ yearly. In the third example, , savings adds up to 928€ yearly. All this savings are supplemented by indirect benefits: for instance, the reduction of carbon footprint in the transfer of the waste to its final disposal.